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ANOCA ELECTION OFFERS AFRICA CHANCE FOR ‘A FRESH START’
BY AIPS AFRICA TEAM.
A fresh start! That is what the four contenders for presidency of the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa are promising the 54-member nations.
After all it’s been 13 years of no change with Lt. Lassana Palenfo at the helm.
The Ivorian, the longest serving ANOCA president, opted not to seek re-election after turbulent recent times for the Abuja based association.
The 77-year-old barely served a year into his fourth term, when the Court of Arbitration for Sport ruled that ANOCA must hold fresh elections.
This was after the ANOCA executive committee, controversially blocked Cameroon’s Hamad Kalkaba Malboum his only challenger at the elections in May 2017 in Djibouti, from contesting the elections over alleged bribery and inappropriate campaign.
But CAS upheld the appeal by Kalkaba and directed that fresh polls must be held.
The four players
Kalkaba is one of the four vying to replace Palenfo at the elections in Tokyo, being held on the sidelines of a tensed ANOC general assembly in Tokyo.
Hamad Kalkaba Malboum of Cameroon
The others are Algeria’s Mustapha Berraf, Botswana’s Negroes Malealea Kgosietsile and Burundi’s Lydia Nsekera.
Respect, rebuild, united, vibrant are some of the words that have pepper the campaigns of the quartet.
But the first task for the new president will be to oversee and revamp the All Africa Games that will be held in Morocco, a step-in host.
Zambia had been earmarked as organisers of the 2019 event but claimed they were not ready due to lack of facilities.
Here is a look at the four players in their countries ascending order:
Algeria’s Mustapha Berraf
He wants a more efficient and respected ANOCA. He has been the ‘acting president’ since last November in Prague, when Palenfo was relieved of his operational duties.
Mustapha Berraf
The Algerian was elected vice president of ANOCA in 2005 in Accra. It is this experience that the Berraf, who is also serving his fourth term as president of the Algerian Olympic Committee, hopes he can bank on to succeed his former boss.
If he is elected he will be the first North African to lead ANOCA.
All the five previous presidents have been from central, east and west Africa.
He led and hosted the Africa Youth Games in Algiers this year, a platform he used to endear himself to the members.
His biggest selling point has been marketing the association, its activities and providing resources for its members.
“We intend to perpetuate the initiatives we have undertaken by providing our organization with the necessary financial and material resources for the African Youth Games in Lesotho, Beach Games in
Cape Verde and the African Games in Morocco,” underlined the 63-year-old basketball star who has had a fair share of controversy back home.
His stint as NOC president was tainted by a corruption scandal as a director of a publicly managed shopping centre in the 90s.
He hopes to use his management experience to transform ANOCA.
“We will also focus on professionalizing the management of ANOCA’s products and assets, as well as the introduction of new marketable products and programs.”
Botswana’s Negroes Malealea Kgosietsile
Negroes the ‘competent, selfless and tested’ leader ANOCA needs The Botswana was the last one to formally declare his intention to contest.
The former NOC president considers himself as the change candidate ANOCA needs after a rather dull five years. In his 16-year terms as the NOC president he oversaw the 2014
Africa Youth Games, an event that boosted the Southern African country’s profile.
This influenced his country’s decision to bid for the 2022 Youth
Olympic Games that were last month awarded to Senegal.
Negroes ventured into sport after a career in finance, skills he is banking on to professionalize the operations of ANOCA.
“It is of critical importance for the ANOCA Electorate to assign a competent, selfless and tested leader to catapult the organization to its rightful place,” said Negroes who serves on the ANOCA Executive committee.
Despite not having any continental know-how feels there is need to fix the association’s operations and review the constitution.
“The conduct of our meetings has in the past tended to deprive the
General Assembly of its powers to debate matters and make informed decisions.
“ANOCA Solidarity funds are still managed by Olympic Solidarity, an indication that ANOCA is not in a position to manage its share of
Solidarity funds,” added the head of the Confederation of Southern African National Olympic Committee.
Burundi’s Lydia Nsekera
Governance and inclusion are at the heart of Nsekera’s campaign. The ascendance of the former basket baller and high jumper will make her the woman to head an Olympic continental section.
Lydia Nsekera
The 51-year-old is no stranger to firsts. She was the first woman to hold a seat on FIFA’s Executive Committee, and the first woman to head the Burundian football association and the NOC.
Nsekera who began her professional career as an auditor is one of the 13 African IOC members, a position she hopes to leverage on and make history.
The renowned female sports administrator has put youth and women’s issues on the front burner of her campaign.
“Africa is undeniably the continent with the largest number of young people. It is our responsibility as sports leaders to support our girls and boys and help them grow up healthy,” said the Burundian, who
hopes to take back the presidency to the zone five.
The late Francis Nyangweso from neighbouring Ugandan headed the association between 1999-2001.
Nsekera, who also chairs the IOC women and sport commission has Tokyo 2020 Olympics high on her agenda.
“Top priority will be given to the preparation and planning of Africa’s participation (at Tokyo 2020) by creating small committees whose task will be to propose the most effective way to facilitate the smooth preparation and participation.”
Kalkaba, tried and tested
The IAAF vice president, who also heads the Confederation of African Athletics, was the trigger of change.
Kalkaba challenged Palenfo again, in what was expected to be a close election but missed on what would have been his second appearance on the ANOCA presidential ballot.
The former Cameroonian track and field athlete was lurking in Palenfo’s shadow at the 2005 elections.
Palenfo replaced Guinea’s Alpha Ibrahim Diallo as ANOCA president after polling 24 of the 51 votes against Alhaji Dandeh-Njie of Gambia, who garnered 16 votes but decided not to contest the run off.
During that election in Ghana, Kalkaba was one of the three contenders who withdrew from the race. The others were Zoumaro
Gnofame from Togo and Guinea’s Diallo.
The veteran sports administrator who is the president of the NOC has in the past headed handball and athletics federations, all-round proficiencies that he feels proves he is capable transforming ANOCA.
“I hope to urge the African Union and African countries to enact laws that will guarantee the status of high-level athletes and their future reconversion through an appropriate social reintegration,” outlined the former musician, who hopes the NOCs can dance to his tune as he looks to write the last chapter of his sports career.
Rebuilding trust and attracting partners are among the key pillars of his campaign, goals that remain slippery for CAA.
“Increase the financial resources of the Development Zones, to better coordinate the activities of the NOCs.”
The Supreme Council of Sufi Orders has officially recognised the Akbariyya Hatimiyya Order, marking a significant step in the regulation of Sufi practices and reinforcing what the Council describes as its commitment to a moderate religious approach.
Sheikh Sayyid Ayman Hamdi al-Akbariyya, head of the Akbariyya Hatimiyya Order, met with Dr Abdel-Hadi al-Qasabi, Grand Sheikh of Sufi Orders and President of the Supreme Council, where he presented the official recognition decree.
With the issuance of the decree, the Akbariyya Hatimiyya Order becomes one of the officially recognised Sufi orders in the Arab Republic of Egypt, joining 80 other orders operating under the Council’s umbrella.
According to officials, the recognition follows a period of organisational and administrative work by the Order’s leadership, including compliance with legal requirements and regulatory standards approved by the Council. The move is expected to strengthen the Order’s institutional presence and enhance its religious and spiritual role within Egyptian society.
Rooted in the Legacy of Ibn Arabi
The Akbariyya Hatimiyya Order derives its methodology from the teachings of the renowned Sufi master Ibn Arabi, widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in Islamic mysticism. The Order has followers in Egypt and across several countries in the Islamic world, with a notable presence in parts of Europe and Asia.
Its teachings emphasise love, spiritual purification, tolerance and deepening the spiritual dimension of Muslim life.
During the meeting, both sides stressed the importance of adhering to the moderate Azharite approach and strengthening the role of Sufi orders in promoting sound religious awareness, ethical values, coexistence and social peace.
The Influence of “The Greatest Sheikh”
Born in 560 AH in Murcia, Andalusia, Ibn Arabi — whose full name was Muhyiddin Muhammad ibn Ali ibn Muhammad ibn Arabi al-Hatimi al-Ta’i al-Andalusi — grew up in a scholarly and spiritual environment. He later travelled extensively across North Africa and the Levant before settling in Damascus, where he died in 638 AH/1240 CE. His shrine in Damascus remains a well-known landmark.
Often referred to as “The Greatest Sheikh,” Ibn Arabi’s school of thought came to be known as the Akbariyya. Among his most celebrated works are Al-Futuhat al-Makkiyya (The Meccan Revelations), Fusus al-Hikam (The Bezels of Wisdom), and Tarjuman al-Ashwaq (The Interpreter of Desires).
His writings are characterised by philosophical depth and a mystical exploration of divine love, spiritual purification and the concept of the “perfect human being.” His influence has shaped Sufi thought across the Islamic world and extended into intellectual circles in Europe and Asia.
The formal recognition of the Akbariyya Hatimiyya Order reflects Egypt’s continued effort to regulate religious institutions while preserving the rich spiritual traditions rooted in centuries of Islamic scholarship and mysticism.
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- Summary
- * Tottenham slip closer to the relegation zone
- * West Ham denied at the death by Man Utd
- * Chelsea held at home by Leeds
Yet another Premier League home defeat left Tottenham Hotspur looking over their shoulder at the relegation zone and manager Thomas Frank nearer the exit door on Tuesday as Newcastle United eased their own slump with a 2-1 victory in north London.
Last season’s Europa League winners and qualifiers for this season’s Champions League last-16 were booed off after Jacob Ramsey sealed a rare away win for Eddie Howe’s side.
Tottenham would have found themselves only three points above the drop zone had it not been for Manchester United’s Benjamin Sesko scoring a stoppage-time equaliser to deny 18th-placed West Ham United a 1-0 win.
The 1-1 draw kept United in fourth place although it ended caretaker manager Michael Carrick’s 100% record since taking over in January.
Another unblemished record went at Stamford Bridge as Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior dropped his first league points since replacing Enzo Maresca, his side drawing 2-2 at home to Leeds United having led 2-0.
Bournemouth came from a goal down to win 2-1 at Everton with second-half goals by Brazilian teenager Rayan and Amine Adli. Everton, who had led through Iliman Ndiaye’s first-half penalty, ended with 10 men after Jake O’Brien was red-carded.
Tottenham have not been relegated from the top flight since 1977 but such is the present malaise at the club it is now becoming a genuine fear as they are in 16th place, five points above West Ham whose form is on the up.
They have not won a Premier League game since December 28 and have managed only two victories from their 13 home league games this season. To make matters worse, their next fixture is at home to north London rivals and leaders Arsenal.
‘UNDERSTAND THE FRUSTRATION’
Whether Frank is still in charge then is beginning to look increasingly unlikely. Not for the first time this season, the Dane left the pitch to chants of ‘you’re getting sacked in the morning’ from Tottenham’s fans.
“I understand the frustration and the easiest thing is to point at me,” Frank said of the fans. “That’s part of the job unfortunately. I will work day and night to turn this around but it is not just one person. There is no doubt we need to improve and I need to be part of that.”
Newcastle completely dominated the first half and the only surprise was it took them until stoppage time to get ahead as defender Malick Thiaw stabbed home a rebound.
Injury-hit Tottenham were marginally better after the break and Archie Gray levelled. But Newcastle deservedly took the points when Anthony Gordon teed up Ramsey for a cute finish, his first goal since joining from Aston Villa.
Newcastle moved up to 10th in the table on 36 points. Tottenham have 29 points from 26 games, with Nottingham Forest, who play bottom club Wolverhampton Wanderers on Wednesday, on 26 from 25. West Ham have 24.
SESKO SALVAGES POINT FOR MAN UNITED
West Ham were seconds away from a fourth win in five league games as they led with Tomas Soucek’s strike early in the second half after good work by Jarrod Bowen.
United had an effort from Casemiro ruled out but salvaged a point when substitute Sesko struck at the death.
Carrick’s side have 45 points, one more than Chelsea who will be kicking themselves after drawing with Leeds.
“It is a tough place to come and we didn’t have that sharpness to find the answers,” Carrick said. “Great spirit again and we will take the point and move on.”
Chelsea appeared to be cruising with goals either side of the interval from Joao Pedro and Cole Palmer who scored his third penalty in two games.
But they threw away two points as Moises Caicedo fouled Jayden Bogle and Lukas Nmecha converted a penalty before Noah Okafor poked in an equaliser after Chelsea failed to clear a ball into the area.
“If we want to improve and get to where we want to be, we have to make sure we’re switched on for 90 minutes. It’s as simple as that,” Rosenior said afterwards.
The draw lifted Leeds above Tottenham into 15th.
-Reuters
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Rivers United’s campaign in the CAF Champions League suffered a major setback on Sunday after the Nigerian champions fell 1–0 at home to Zambia’s Power Dynamos.
The defeat, recorded in Uyo, leaves Rivers United anchored at the bottom of Group A with just one point from four matches, severely denting their hopes of progressing to the knockout stage.
With only two matches left in the group, the Port Harcourt-based side now faces an uphill task, as both remaining fixtures are against the group’s leading teams; Morocco’s RS Berkane and defending champions Pyramids FC of Egypt.
Sunday’s result boosted Power Dynamos’ chances, as the Zambian side moved up to third place in the group with four points, three adrift of second-placed RS Berkane. Berkane’s position was weakened earlier in the day after they were thrashed 3–0 by Pyramids in Egypt.
Pyramids FC continued their impressive run in the group, tightening their grip on the standings with 10 points from four matches to remain firmly on course for qualification.
For Rivers United, the loss marked another frustrating night in their continental campaign, with hopes of a late revival now resting on unlikely results against Africa’s in-form clubs in the remaining group fixtures.
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